National Atlas of areas at risk of desertification — State indicator: average annual number of days of dry soil

The Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of the Territory financed by act of 28-12-2001 the Experimental Institute for the Study and Defense of the Soil of Florence for the “Predisposition of National Atlas of areas at risk of desertification” at the scale of recognition (reference scales 1:100,000-1.250.000). The MATTM considers this Atlas as a preparatory instrument for the correct implementation of the National Plan for Combating Siccity and Desertification, adopted by the Italian State in implementation of the United Nations Convention on Combating Siccity and Desertification. The above-mentioned act provides for the participation of the National Institute of Agricultural Economics in its specific areas of competence. The study area includes Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Marche, Molise Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria. The indicator used to measure potential drought is the number of days on which the soil control section is completely dry throughout the year. The number of dry days is a soil and climate information that considers the effect of drought on each specific type of soil.